Arnold Galiffa Explained

Arnold Galiffa
Birth Date:29 January 1927
Birth Place:Donora, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death Place:Glenview, Illinois, U.S.
Number:17, 16
Import:yes
Position1:Quarterback
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:193
High School:Donora (PA)
College:Army (1946–1949)
Nfldraftedyear:1950
Nfldraftedround:18
Nfldraftedpick:225
Nfldraftedteam:Green Bay Packers
Playing Years1:1953
Playing Team1:New York Giants
Playing Years2:1954
Playing Team2:San Francisco 49ers
Playing Years3:1955–1956
Playing Team3:BC Lions
Playing Years4:1956
Playing Team4:Toronto Argonauts
Statlabel1: (NFL)
Statvalue1:7–25 (28.0%)
Statlabel2:TDINT (NFL)
Statvalue2:1–5
Statlabel3:Rush TD (NFL)
Statvalue3:0
Statlabel4: (CFL)
Statvalue4:412–715 (57.6%)
Statlabel5:TD–INT (CFL)
Statvalue5:42–35
Statlabel6:Rush TD (CFL)
Statvalue6:2
Career Highlights:
Collegehof:1628
Collegehofyear:1983

Arnold Anthony Galiffa (January 29, 1927  - September 5, 1978) was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Army Black Knights, then played professionally in both the NFL and CFL. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

Biography

Galiffa was born in and attended high school in Donora, Pennsylvania. There, he played several sports and earned all-state honors in basketball and football; he graduated in 1945.[1] In January 1946, Galiffa received an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York; at the time, he was already a private in the United States Army.[2]

thumb|right|Galiffa's card in the 1954 Bowman Football Card SetGaliffa played multiple sports for the Army Cadets, as they were then known, earning a total of 11 varsity letters: four in baseball, four in basketball, and three in football. For the four seasons he played football, 1946–1949, Army posted records of 9–0–1, 5–2–2, 8–0–1, and 9–0 for an aggregate record of under head coach Earl Blaik. Galiffa was named to the 1949 All-Eastern football team,[3] and was a consensus selection to the 1949 College Football All-America Team.[4]

Galiffa graduated from West Point in June 1950, and was married that month to Margaret "Peggy" Perdok.[5] Galiffa went on to serve as a second lieutenant during the Korean War.

After his military service, Galiffa played four seasons of professional football. He played in the NFL for the 1953 New York Giants, appearing in three games, and the 1954 San Francisco 49ers, appearing in four games. He next played in the CFL for two season. With the BC Lions, he played 14 games in 1955 but was released after one game in 1956, as the team opted to use Tony Teresa as their quarterback.[6]

Galiffa was then signed by the Toronto Argonauts, who needed a new quarterback due to injury.[7] In 12 games with the 1956 Toronto Argonauts, he passed for 3,682 yards and 32 touchdowns.[8] Galiffa did not play professionally after 1956.

Outside of football, Galiffa worked for U.S. Steel for 23 years in operational staff services. In November 1957, he won a seat on the borough council in his hometown of Donora;[9] as of February 1963, he was president of the council.[10]

Illness and death

Galiffa died from cancer in September 1978,[11] and was survived by his wife and three children.[12]

Honors

Galiffa was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983,[13] and the Army Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.[14]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Football of basketball, it didn't matter which, they were the best . . HS30 . August 22, 2021 . July 30, 2023 . newspapers.com.
  2. News: Speaking of Sports (column) . Daily Republican . . 2 . January 15, 1946 . July 30, 2023 . newspapers.com.
  3. News: Ivy League Dominates AP All-Eastern Eleven. The Sunday Times. New Brunswick, New Jersey. November 27, 1949. 14. Newspapers.com.
  4. Web site: Football Award Winners. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 2016. October 21, 2017. 8.
  5. News: Army's Ace Athlete Weds . The Danville Morning News . . 4 . June 16, 1950 . July 30, 2023 . newspapers.com.
  6. News: Lions Cut Galiffa; May Go to Calgary . . 18 . August 22, 1956 . July 30, 2023 . newspapers.com.
  7. News: Desperate Argos Sign Galiffa . . . 38 . August 31, 1956 . July 30, 2023 . newspapers.com.
  8. Web site: Arnie Galiffa . statscrew.com . July 30, 2023.
  9. News: Delsandro Wins Donora Burgess Race Easily . . . 3 . November 6, 1957 . July 30, 2023 . newspapers.com.
  10. News: Arnold Galiffa To Speak At City Cub Scout Banquet . Daily Republican . . 6 . February 14, 1963 . July 30, 2023 . newspapers.com.
  11. News: Arnold Galiffa Dies of Cancer . . . . D-10 . September 6, 1978 . July 30, 2023 . newspapers.com.
  12. News: Arnold Galiffa, West Point All-America Quarterback . . 28 . September 6, 1978 . July 29, 2023 . newspapers.com.
  13. Web site: Arnold Galiffa (1983) . footballfoundation.org . July 29, 2023.
  14. Web site: Anthony Galiffa (2007) . goarmywestpoint.com . July 30, 2023.